A MAYOR comple-ted a whistlestop tour of Pendle to spread a little Christmas cheer to town and village centres.

In a twist on the usual Christmas lights switch-on ceremonies, Pendle mayor Coun Allan Buck thought he would go one better.

So with the aid of a Wallace and Gromit-style motorcycle and sidecar - and Santa Claus - Coun Buck madke a civic appear-ance at no fewer than six such switch-ons across the borough.

Coun Buck said: "Everyone had a good night. We had cars honking their horns in support as we rode from one place to another."

The mayor and his special guest kicked off their festive mission at the Brierfield switch-on, outside the town hall at 4.30pm, before setting off for a ceremony beside the Abbey National in Nelson.

The yuletide duo then travelled on to Barrowford, before visting the town hall in Colne for festivities there.

Another stop-off beckoned, at the Victoria Road post office in Earby, before Santa and the Coates ward councillor rounded off their tour in Barnoldswick at 6.30pm.

He thanked Stuart Gaunt for the loan of the bike and sidecar.